Blog Posts
Ford’s 2019 F-150 Limited gets a Raptor-grade engine swap
Updated August 7, 2018
We’d bet dollars to dirt donuts that there are some enraptured F-150 fans in Ford land after the automaker announced last week that its making the 450-horsepower EcoBoost engine used in its Baja-bred Raptor the standard engine in the 2019 F-150 Limited.
The 2019 Limited will be the first time the Raptor’s standard high-output 3.5-liter V6 is offered in a 4x2 F-150. The muscle-bound engine generates about 128 horsepower per liter. (Or 2.11 horses per cubic inch for you, old-school gearheads.) The 2019 Limited will come with the one engine and one transmission: the 10-speed automatic.
As in the Raptor, the 2019 Limited’s turbocharged 3.5-liter 24-valve direct injection V6 features stainless-steel exhaust manifolds, unique pistons and a 10.0:1 compression ratio. Delivering up to 510 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm, the 2019 Limited EcoBoost has a dual exhaust system similar to the Raptor’s but incorporates more conventional mufflers rather than the basically straight-through type hung on the Raptor, said Todd Eckert, F-150 marketing manager. Since it’s a high-end truck, the Limited will be quieter than the Raptor.
Recommended Video:
Ford is making its iconic F-150 Raptor – the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup – even better with upgraded technology including class-exclusive, electronically controlled FOX™ shocks, new Trail Control™ and all-new Recaro sport seats. The upgrades are focused on key components that have made F-150 Raptor the benchmark in off-road trucks for an even tougher, smarter, more capable trail runner. While Raptor has plenty of torque and horsepower, building a high-performance off-road truck isn’t just about engine power – it’s also about the suspension. Raptor’s suspension upgrades make it even more capable of clawing away at the terrain. To enhance Raptor’s already proven internal bypass shocks, Ford Performance worked directly with FOX to develop all-new electronically controlled Live Valve technology for the new platform that continuously adjusts damping in real-time. This class-exclusive setup uses sensors in the suspension and body to maximize comfort, handling and bottom-out resistance.
Customers let Ford know that they’d “love the power of Raptor, but want the refinement of the Limited,” Eckert said.
“Limited customers are looking for the best-of-the-best when it comes to their truck.”That clientele stands to reap some performance dividends, if past performance is any indication. Car and Driver magazine tested a 2017 Raptor SuperCrew with the same powertrain and reported 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.1 seconds and quarter-mile results of 13.8 seconds at 100 mph. Though Car and Driver’s Raptor had a 4.10 axle ratio while the 2019 Limited F-150 will have a 3.55 non-limited slip axle standard, we’re guessing equal or better performance than the Raptor since a 4x2 Limited could have a 700 lb. advantage over the Raptor.
Spotting a Limited should be easier thanks to the exhaust outlets exiting through cutouts integrated into the Limited’s new rear bumper.
The 2019 Limited’s cooling system is carried over from the standard 375-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost. The Raptor’s cooling system is fortified to handle severe off-road conditions and competition.
With the trailer tow package, which on the 2018 Limited runs an extra $995, the 2019 F-150 Limited 4x2 can tow up to 11,100 lbs. The 4x4 version can pull up to 9,300 lbs. The payload rating for two-wheel-drive is 1,520 lbs. while the 4x4 can haul 1,270 lbs. The trailering bundle includes a 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, upgraded front stabilizer bar, smart trailer tow connector, and Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup technology.
Ford was not ready to share the 2019’s MSRP, curb weights or EPA fuel economy numbers. With the truck’s lower axle ratio, don’t be surprised if the 2019 Limited’s fuel efficiency ratings fall short of the 2018’s 18 city and 25 highway mpg. The 2018 Raptor, a different, significantly heavier beast with its own suspension and body panels, sports EPA ratings of 15 city and 18 highway. The 2018 Limited has a starting MSRP of $61,360 before destination charges.
But the 2019’s upgrades aren’t just limited to what’s under the Limited’s hood. The cabin gets luxury trappings like a suede headliner and leather-topped instrument panel and door panels. Then there’s the hand-finished ash swirl trim.
“A halo around the edges with a heavily polished center really brings out the natural beauty of this wood,” said Ford color and materials manager Aileen Barraza.
MORE POWER: 2019 Mazda MX-5 gets 26-hp boost
A new two-tone, soft-touch leather Ford calls “camel back” is also new. No premium vehicle is complete these days without massaging seats and the Limited’s heated and ventilated captain chairs for driver and front passenger check that box.
So owners never forget how special their luxe pickup is, each Limited gets a laser-etched plaque on the center console armrest declaring its top-of-the-F-150 food chain status as well as its serial number.
The Limited, available exclusively with SuperCrew cab and 5.5-ft. cargo bed, comes standard with advanced safety and assist systems, B&O audio system, power running boards, remote start, tailgate release and for generous overhead vistas, a twin-panel moonroof.
As consumers have every right to expect, Ford’s fanciest and most expensive full-size pickup gets standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. Once drivers set cruising speed, radar and camera technologies monitor the traffic ahead to maintain a set gap between vehicles and will come to a complete stop when necessary.
Standard pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking helps drivers avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. Active park assist to ease parallel parking, plus a lane-keeping system that provides alerts and intervention if the truck strays out of its lane are also standard.
The F-150 is a big vehicle so the Limited’s standard reverse sensing, blind spot and cross-traffic alert systems are a plus.
If you are an early adopter when it comes to pickups, you should be able to order a 2019 F-150 Limited starting Aug. 13. However, the “build” capability on Ford’s F-150 consumer website won’t be available until October and the pickups aren’t expected to go on sale until late this year. Meanwhile, truck purists who may be anxiously wondering if the 5.0-liter V8 will stick around can relax. Ford said the V8 will be one of six powertrains available on the 2019 F-150.
